Want of Entire Devotedness of Heart to the Christian Ministry
The Writer is well aware of the extreme delicacy, consideration, and tenderness, which the treatment of this part of his subject requires of him. He can, however, truly state, that, though for his personal profit he has dihgently observed the Ministrations of his brethren, yet the material for remark which will now be detailed, is drawn rather from a painful acquaintance with his own deficiencies and temptations, than from a censorious scrutiny of others; and he trusts that it will be remembered, that there is a wide difference between exposing the defects of his brethren in the pride of self-gratulation, and observing their failures in connection with a deep searching into his own heart, and for the purpose of bringing all into a condensed view for the common good.
The important influence, favourable or unfavourable, of our personal habits upon the Ministerial work, is obvious. The character of the individual must have a prominent part in forming the Minister; and therefore the causes, that operate in the declension of the Christian life, must belong to this department of the subject. Particulars will now be specified.
1 For some valuable papers on this division of our subject, the reader is referred to the Christian Observer, 1822.
CHAPTER I.
WANT OF ENTIRE DEVOTEDNESS OF HEART TO THE
CHRISTIAN MINISTRY.
The paragraph (1 Tim. iv. 13 — 16.) condenses in the smallest compass the most important body of appropriate instruction, and encouragement to Ministerial devotedness — “Give thyself wholly to these things that thy jprofiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine; continue in them; for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee The effect of the Apostles’ resolution to ‘■’•give themselves to prayer, and to the Ministry of the word,^^ exhibited the influence of Christian devotedness upon Ministerial success.’ The great Shepherd, indeed, who gave himself for, gave us to, the flock ;^ and there is no more responsible thought connected with our work, than the obligation of giving ourselves to our people, so that they shall be led to prize us as a gift from Christ. Oh I that we might be able to tell them ‘We belong to Christ, and he has given us to you; we owe our whole selves entirely to you f we are “your servants for Jesus’ sake;”* we have given ourselves to the work, and we desire to be in it, as if there was nothing worth living for besides: it shall form our whole pleasure and delight. We will consecrate our whole time, our whole reading, our whole mind and heart to this service.’ We cannot suppose it to be less necessary for us than for Archippus, to “take heed to the Ministry which we have received in the Lord, that we fulfil it,”’ or that the Apostolical exhortations to unremitted diligence are less applicable to us than to the beloved Timothy.* Do the privileges and immunities of our admirable Establishment furnish a plea for self-indulgence 1 Or shall we be satisfied with a routine of outward service, suflScient to justify us in the eyes of our Diocesan; while, as respects any painful exercises of self-denial, we are “serving the Lord with that which doth cost us nothing?”’’ We are to be labourers, not loiterers, in the Lord’s vineyard; not doing his work with a reluctant heart, as if we did it not, as if we feared being losers by him, or giving him more than
1 Acts vi. 4 — 7. Mark this resolution exemplified in a faithful Minister of the primitive Church, equally given to prayer, and the more toilsome work of the Lord, Col. i. 7; with iv. 12. Phil. ii. 30.
2 Comp. Eph. iv. 8 — 12. 3 Rom. i. 14. 2 Cor. iv. 5.
Col. IV. 17. 6 2 Tim. iv, 1, 3. 2 Sam. ixiv. 24.
be deserved. ‘The pastoral dignity is really the condition of a servant. It obliges a man to devote himself entirely to Jesus Christ, and to his Church. Both the Minister and the Ministry are only for the Church. He who in this state does not apply himself entirely to the service of the Church, will be treated as a thief, and a sacrilegious person. Whoever has not the spirit of his Ministry, renders all the talents and advantages useless, which he has received to serve the Church. A pastor ought to have nothing at heart but the work of God and the salvation of souls. This ought to be his delight, his meat, and his life.’’ Let us remember, that, as Ministers, we are not ordy, like our fellow-Christians, “bought with a price,” but we are set apart, yea, devoted, to this work. We have, therefore, no right “to entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life,” so as to hinder our entire consecration to the Church. So strongly was this obligation felt in the primitive age, that Cyprian gives the judgment of the Church, that a presbyter should not entangle himself with the office of an executor. If, however, they unadvisedly made an absolute rule, still the principle was excellent — that the Minister’s constant employment in spiritual affairs, precluded him from giving the necessary attention even to important secular duties.’^
Our responsibiUties demand an entire devotedness of spirit to every soul, as if it were the sole object of our care. ‘It ought therefore to be our solemn and cheerful determination, to refrain from studies, pursuits, and even recreations, that may not be made evidently subservient to the grand purpose of our Ministry. The Apostle would remind us, in our visits, journeys, the common intercourse of life, never to forget, not only our Christian but our Ministerial character. All must be stamped with its holiness: all must be a part of a system strictly adhered to, of being constantly learning, and waiting the opportunity of imparting what we have learned in the things of God.’^ Mr. Cecil used to say, that the
1 Quesnel on Rom. i. 1. Ephes. iii. 1. John iv. 34.
2 2 Tim. ii. 4. Cypr. Epist. i. See Burkitt on Luke ix. 61, 62. ‘Facile unusquisque intelligat, sacrum ministerium a neminc posse uUi ccclesiae, quamvis exiguae, qui non huic procurando ministerio so totuiu addicat et iinpcndat.’ Bucer de Ordinal. Legit. Minist. Eccies.
3 Scott’s Letters and Papers, pp. 307, 308. In another place he writes to a friend in the same spirit of fervid and habitual devotedness — ‘My conscience is never quiet or joyful, but when I am busy in some Ministerial employment; not merely in acquiring, but in communicating, the knowledge of Divine things by my tongue and pen: not only by meditation endeavouring to affect my own heart, but by some method or other endeavouring to affect others, and stir them up to seek, trust, love, and serve the Lord. And after a multitude of thoughts about pride, ambition, &c. influencing me to be active, (and they will insinuate themselves,) I am persuaded Satan would have mf while away my life in inactivity, under pretences of modesty, diffidence, and humility; and he never is wanting lo furnish me witn excuses for delaying or shifting services.’ — Life, p. 213.
devil did not care how ministers were employed, so that it was not in their proper work. Whether it was hunting or sporting, cards and assemblies, writing notes upon the classics, or politics, it was all one to him. Each might please his own taste. In contrast to this mind, how manly was Nehemiah’s repeated answer to his subtle enemies, when they would have diverted him from the immediate service of his God — “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down!”’ — And does not the building of the spiritual temple require the same concentrated devotedness of heart, the same sense of primary obligation? And are we, in a similar spirit, ready to answer the suggestions of a corrupt heart, of pride, indolence, love of ease, worldliness, and unbelief — ‘I may not — I must not — I dare not — “I cannot — come down?” ‘In the true spirit of our work we shall “let the potsherd strive with the potsherd of the earth” — yea, even “let the dead bury their dead,” rather than allow the business of this life to detain us from the present and imperative duty — “Go thou, and preach the gospel of God.”’^
Bishop Burnet adverts to ’ the great notion of the Pastoral care, which runs through our Ordination Service — that it is to be a man’s entire business and is to possess l)oth his thoughts and his time.” What greater force or energy ’ — the Bishop asks — ’ could be put in words, than in these 1 Or where could any be found, that are more weighty and more express, to show the entire dedication of the whole man, of his time and labour, and the separating himself from all other cares, to follow this one thing with all possible application and zeal 7 There is nothing in any office, ancient or modern, that I ever saw, which is of this force — so serious and so solemn.’’ The Clergy ’ have a double account to settle — an account with God, as well as an account with man; and it may happen, that, although the latter party have nothing to object against them, yet their functions may not have been adequately discharged in the sight of the great High-Priest of the Church. Even if their engagement be not exactly in the nature of a conditional contract, as far as man is concerned, yet there are certain extra-official obligations — certain undefined, though not less binding, duties, which every man set apart for the Ministry has undertaken to fulfil.* His work must not be looked upon as
1 Neh. vi. 3, 4. ‘Minister verbi es. Hoc age ’ — was the quickening stimulvis of the holy and learned Mr. Perkins.
2 Isaiah xlv. 9. Luke ix. 59, 60. 3 Pastoral Care, chap. vi.
* See Burnet’s Past. Care, ch. viii. Mr. Richmond’s Ministry may furnish a specimen of these ’ undefined extra-ofBcial obligations.’ Besides two complete services on the Sabbath — it consisted of a Sunday evening lecture for the young — Cottage lectures on Tuesday, and latterly, also, on Thursday evenings — a lecture in the church on Friday, an ordinary profession, to be conducted on that principle of reciprocity, which governs the common dealings of mankind. He desecrates his high calling, when he considers it in the light of a mere commercial transaction, in which a bargain is struck for a certain return of services upon the payment of a certain price. Like his heavenly pattern, he will be constantly about his Master’s business; he will avail himself of times and seasons and topics, and present the truths of which he is the depository, in so judicious and pertinent a manner, that his “speech “may at all times” be seasoned with salt, and that no man may be able to accuse him of neglect, or inquire, like Esau, in the tone of mingled regret and reproach — “Hast thou not a blessing for me also ‘.’”’
Our ‘’ heavenly pattern “did indeed furnish a striking illustration of the true spirit of the Christian Ministry — “doing with our mtght.” His whole soul was in it — intent upon one thing — subordinating relative obligations,^ personal convenience,* — and even present necessity,* to the main business. jNo time was wasted upon trifles. Such unblushing activity! Never was an opportunity of usefulness lost. Even the common courtesies of life — public occasions* — were improved as vehicles of the inost important instruction. The thought of relinquishing his work was intolerable.’ Through most sinking reproach and tribulation; he persevered to the .end.® The labours of single days were unprecedented in Ministerial annals ;^ and a lengthened course was compressed within the contracted space of three years.
with weekly instruction at the workhouse, and a monthly lecture before the sacrament; Combined with this system of public instruction was the constant fulfilment of the Apostolical injunction, of going from house to house. See his Life, pp. 114, 115, 588, 589. Many devoted Ministers would be “pressed out of measure, above strength,” and would shortly “have the sentence of death in themselves” from such incessant demands; and ‘Christ ’ (as an excellent Minister said to his brother) ’ is too great a Master to need, and too good a Master to require, his servants to kill themselves in his service.’ Some, however, profess to be retained from these ’ extra-official ’ labours by the fear of entailing heavy burdens upon their successors. But the Lord will not require of them the same portion of work with diminished physical resources; while he justly demands of all his servants, that, as their strength, so their work shall be. While ;hc higher, and most reasonable, demands of many of our Diocesans, are sthnulating us to increasing exertions, let us be careful, that prospective considerations do not paralyze our present energies, and that we grudge not to expend a healthful constitution in a service, in which angels might think it an nonour to be engaged. Where health, strength, talents, and opportunities are vouchsafed, who will say, that such labours arc uncalled-for by the exigency of the case, by the voice of conscience, by the constraining influence of our Master’s love, (John xxi. 15 — 17.) or by those solemn Ordination engagements, which we have voluntarily undertaken 1
Bishop of Winchester’s Ministerial Character of Christ, pp. 232, 233.
2 Luke u. 49. Matt. xii. 46 — 50. 3 Mark vi. 34 — 50. * John iv. 6 — 14.
5 Luke vii. 36 — 50; xi. 37; xiv. 13 — 24. 6 John vii. 37.
‘Matt. xvi. 23. Isaiah 1. 5, 6. John xvii. 4.
9 Compare Mark i. 32 — 38. The parables. Matt. xiii. seem to have beeji delivered in the afternoon of a day, that had been previously spent in the work of instruction. Doddridge remarks on another occasion, that ’ no one of the prophets that we read of in-In a large measure of the same spirit did the great Apostle follow his blessed exemplar. His very soul and spirit were set upon his work. Never did any htieling long for preferment, as did he to be made the organ of spiritual blessings’ to the church. He had a heart and tongue to speak, wherever there was an ear to hear — even at Rome itself* His account of one of his courses informs us, that he commenced his work the very “first day he came into Asia “—” publicly and from house lo house “—” declaring the whole counsel of God “—” keeping back nothing that was profitable” — “warning every one night and day for three years “— outwardly exposed to the” temptations “’ of his enemies, and inwardly” pressed in his spirit “by a tenderness, fervour, and compassion, which could find no vent but in” tears “— and determined at whatever cost to pursue his course with undaunted perseverance.^ Thus could he testify — ‘’ God is my witness, whom / serve with my spirit in the Gospel of his Son.”<
And might we not ask — Is “God our witness?” Does he mark in us — we say not any particular frequency of preaching, but — the purpose, frame of heart, and stamp of a faithful Ministration of the Word — the spirit of a” pastor after God’s own heart V’^ A devoted Minister feels, that there is suflScient employment for his whole life in his work; that so far as he lives in the spirit of it, it is his highest pleasure; and that he can never rightly perform its duties except he be wholly given to it. He will there the Old Testament, appears to have wrought so many beneficial miracles in his whole life as our Lord did on this one afternoon.’ Family Expositor on Matt. ix. 33. Section lxxii.
1 Rom. i. 11, 12. 1 Thess. iii. 8 — 11. 2 Rom. i. 15.
3 Compare Acts xx. 18 — 36. Other courses of considerable extent are described Rom. XV. 18 — 28.
* Rom. i. 9. Brainerd shows the nearest approximation to this spirit. He could scarcely give expression to the full glow of his love for his blaster’s work. — ‘I longed to be’ — he would sometimes say — ’ as a flame of fire, continually glowing in the Divine service, preaching and building up Christ’s kingdom to my latest, my dying hour.’
5 Jer. iii. 15. Let us listen to Latimer’s plain and faithful exhortations. Speaking of “the Shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night,” — he adds — ‘I would wish that all clergymen, the curates, parsons, and vicars, the bishops and all other spiritual persons would learn this lesson by these poor shepherds; which is, to abide by their flock, and by their sheep — to tarry among them — to be careful over them — not to run hither and thither after their own pleasure, but to tarry by their benefices, and feed their sheep with the food of God’s word, and to keep hospitality, and so lo feed them both soul and body. For I tell you, these poor unlearned shepherds shall condemn many a stout and great learned clerk; for these shepherds had but the care and charge over brute beasts, and yet were diligent to keep them and to feed them; and the others have the care over God’s lambs, which he bought with the death of his Son, and yet they are so careless, so negligent, so slothful over them; yea, and the most part intendeth not to feed the sheep, but they long to be fed by the sheep: they seek only their own pastimes, they care for no more”. But saith Christ to Peter — What said he 1 “Peter, lovest thou me 1” Peter made answer. Yes. “Then feed my sheep.” And so the third time he commanded Peter to feed his sheep, &c. Luke ii. 8 — 12. Compare Quesnel on Luke xiii. 22.
fore find time for nothing, but what is more or less connected with this main end.
The want of Divine influence on our work should therefore sug-gest a close and searching scrutiny — Is the whole heart in singleness of purpose consecrated to the Christian Ministry? Mr. Brown’s death-bed has given a most encouraging testimony on this subject — the result of forty years’ experience — ‘Oh! labour, labour,’ (said he to his sons) ’ to win souls to Christ. I will say this for your encouragement — When the Lord led me out to be most earnest in this way, he poured in most comfort into my own heart, so that he gave me my reward in my bosom.’’ To the same purport was the earnest exhortation of the excellent Bishop Beveridge — ‘As for those, who come to take upon them the office of deacon or priest, in the Church of Christ — let me now beseech them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose servants they are now to be, that from this day forward they look upon him as their great Master, and lay out themselves wholly in the service to which he calls them. And. whatsoever difficulties they meet with in it, let them follow the Apostle’s example — faint not, nor be discouraged, but go on with cheerfulness and alacrity, as remembering, that they serve the best Master in the world; one that will not only stand by them and assist them, but reward them at last with a crown of righteousness.’*